have not heard of late from the Honod: Sir Ferdinando Gorges, Knight, Lord Proprietor of this Province of Mayne for a full establishment & confirmation of government within the said Province, for our peace and safety, this 21st Oct. 1645, have chosen for our Deputy Governor, Rich: Vines, Esqr. soe to continue for one whole yeare. And alsoe order yearely to choose a deputy Governor: And further order that in case the sd Rich: Vines, Esq: should Depte the country before one yeare be expired,then we nominate and choose Henry Jocelyn,Esquire deputy Governor in his place and stead."* At the same time Mr. Vines was ordered to take possession of the goods of Sir Ferdinando and pay the proprietor's debts. This movement was the least the Counsellors could make for the good condition of the Province, and was undoubtedly pleasing to the unfortu nate Gorges, as it betrayed a disposition in them to uphold the trust committed to their care. Vines soon left the country, as it had been anticipated by the court he would, leaving Jocelyn Deputy Governor. Just before his departure he was engaged in a severe contest with Cleeves, of Falmouth, for the jurisdiction of the greater part of the Province. Cleeves, in behalf of Rigby, claimed the right to govern, while Vines, having the government in his hands, and being convinced that Rigby's claim was unjust, was not at all disposed to yield to him. The matter was referred for decision to Massachusetts, but she was too wary to decide the matter while there was any probability of a reversal of her decision by some new turn in the affairs of England. Cleeves had before this carried the question before the Parliament, and was anxiously awaiting the answer of the commissioners appointed to investigate the affairs of the New England Colonies. The unfair method by which he endeavored to bias the minds of the English commissioners is little to his credit, and should not be noticed here did it not immediately

* York Records.

concern some of the most respectable of our townsmen. While presenting his case before Parliament he made use of the names of several worthy planters against the existing government of the Province; names which carried with them a weighty influence. In England he showed a petition against Vines and his government, to which were subscribed the names of those professing to be dissatisfied with their condition under Vines, and asking for the relief which the establishment of Rigby's government would afford. As will appear, this was a base forgery on the part of Cleeves. Soon after his return from England, when the planters were aware of his proceedings there, this declaration was made public-"Wee whose names are hereunder written doe testifye upon our oathes that wee never gave order to Mr. Geo. Cleaves of Cascoe to prefer any petition, or to exhibit any articles in Parliament against Mr. Rd Vynes of New England. Neither did wee either see or knowe of the said articles or petition until the said Geo. Cleaves did come last out of England. Neither can we testify any such things as are exhibited in the said petition or declared by his articles against Mr. Rd Vynes by the said Cleaves." This was signed by Henry Watts, John Wilkinson, Andrew Alger, of this town, and by six others belonging to various towns of the Province. This ought to have confounded Cleeves, but there is reason to suppose it did not. When asked by Rev. Mr. Jenner of Saco "why he put men's hands to a petition they never saw," his ready answer was, "the Parliament bid me.”

Soon after this came the expected decision of the commissioners declaring Rigby the lawful proprietor of the Province, and thus overturning the government under Gorges. The last General Court under the authority of Gorges was held at Wells, July, 1646, by Gov. Jocelyn, Capt. Rich, Bonython, and Edward

*York Records.

Godfrey. Thus ended the lawful jurisdiction of Gorges over this and the adjoining towns. A jurisdiction alike remarkable for the ready submission of most of its subjects, and the faithful and zealous conduct of its officers. Rigby's government soon became established throughout the Province of Lygonia, and many, who had been warm supporters of that of Gorges, now yielded obedience to this. The majority of the planters of this town were strongly in favor of Gorges' government, yet when the will of the then existing powers in England was made known to them they quietly submitted to their decree, and became faithful subjects of Rigby's government as they had been of Gorges'. Most conspicuous amongst these was Jocelyn, who, although heartily attached to Gorges and his cause, preferred rather to obey Rigby than to disturb the promised peace of the Province by refusing obedience. This sacrifice of per. sonal feeling to the quiet of the Province was worthy of the man. Upon the organization of Rigby's government, Jocelyn was appointed one of the Judges of Lygonia; the others were George Cleeves and Robert Jordan. There was besides a "General Assembly of Lygonia," of which Foxwell and Watts were members in 1648, but how often it was held, or how long it continued is not known. Partial records of three courts held under this jurisdiction have been ferreted out by diligent antiquaries. These were held in May, September, and December of the same year. The first was convened at Black Point in the latter part of May 1648, and this morsel,' appended to an administration granted at that time, is the only record of it to be found-"We the Judges for the Province of Lygonia, do by authority ratify and confirm unto the said P. Cooke this above said administration according to the full tenor thereof. Witness our hands under our Provincial Seal at the day and year above written. G. Cleeves, H. Jocelyn, R. Jordan."

Sir Alexander Rigby died August 1650, leaving the Province

to his son Edward. For two years after this event matters seem to have gone on quietly in Lygonia.

In 1652 Cleeves gratified his desire for contention by entering a complaint with Edward Rigby against his associates in the government of the Province, and by bringing down upon their heads the stern rebuke of the proprietor. Rigby's letter was addressed to Jocelyn, and others holding commissions under Sir Alexander, and contained charges against them of "several miscarriages and illegal proceedings." They were therefore forbidden by Rigby to exercise any authority in the Province until they heard from him. What more than his contentions and restive disposition, induced Cleeves thus to overturn the government he had labored so diligently and unscrupulously to build up, we cannot tell. To all acquainted with the history and character of the men, it will appear much more probable that Cleeves unjustly accused Jocelyn and the others, than that they committed any wrong against the lord proprietor.

One would suppose, from the number of claimants that successively declared themselves entitled to this Province, that the jurisdiction must have been exceedingly desirable. In reading its history we feel that the poor Province has got well through her difficulties when the dispute of Gorges and Rigby is summarily settled, and are not prepared to follow her through another course of violent dissension. But the quiet and peaceful days were not yet. For some time before 1652, Massachusetts had been awaiting a convenient opportunity, when she might safely lay hold of the Province of Maine. Ever since her calculating colonists had discovered that wonderful method of construing their charter, by which they would prove, in a manner less satisfactory to others concerned than to themselves, that they had long held a right to the Province, they secretly cherished the hope of one day extending their jurisdiction as far

as the new construction of it extended the limits of their charter.* The distracted state of Lygonia in 1652 afforded Massachusetts an opportunity of enforcing her pretended right of jurisdiction. Warning was given by the Secretary of Massachusetts to Edward Godfrey, who was then at the head of government in the western part of Maine out of Lygonia, of the intention to cccupy the Province. Godfrey earnestly resisted in behalf of the people, but without avail. Massachusetts alone was too powerful for him, but against her and the Commonwealth of England the contest was utterly hopeless. Commissioners were sent by Massachusetts to treat with the inhabitants of Maine, but they got nothing from them more satisfactory than a resolute denial of the right of Massachusetts to any part of the Province. Then the commissioners protested against Godfrey's government, while the officers of that protested in turn against the course of Massachusetts. After a great deal of correspondence had passed between the agents of each government,† and full three months had been spent in this battle of words, with no signs of retraction on the part of the one, or of submission on the part of the other, the inhabitants of Maine grew weary of the strife, and seeing no hope of avoiding the grasp of the strong hand held over them, unwillingly submitted. On the 16th of November, Kittery acknowledged Massachusetts' authority. Gorgeana submitted on the 22d of the same month, Mr. Godfrey consenting to the surrender of his seat of government last of all the inhabitants. During July 1653 Wells, Cape Porpoise, and Saco gave in their submission; but east of

*

Massachusetts claimed the territory west of Clapboard Island in Casco. Part of this tract retained the original name of Yorkshire or York, given it by Massachusetts, until 1760. when Cumberland County was set off from York. + An interesting portion of this correspondence is preserved on the York Records.